so the boss just made the executive decision based on the rec from that person... thanks for all the help... I'll book something based on the recs here next time I'm in town...

So one of the locals we work with just said we should go to Bar La Grassa and sold it pretty hard.... thoughts on that?

appreciate all the insights and active discussion today... you guys have a great community here...

I've not been successful getting into La Belle Vie or Alma. This group is probably unwilling to make the short drive to St. Paul just given the calendar today so those options are out.

I do like Cap Grill, but we did steak on Monday, and its something I can get at home so going to skip that. My experience with their wine list is also usually full of brand priorities (albeit some very good ones) but the guy buying tonight has a real discerning palette and keeps finding gems I've never heard of from the old world and smaller producers... so a reserve list at Lurcat is appealing.

I think Lurcat is a real possibility.... concerned about some of the comments about it being a step down.... is it just "not as good" as some of the top places or more that its sub-par?

I'm going to take another look at Heidi's too.

great - looks perfect... no openings tonight but I'll call and see if I can get in

if I can't - do you have any other recs? this one looks spot on

Hello,

Would appreciate some assistance on this one. I'm in town for tonight... need tos chedudle dinner for 6-8 people... my boss is a little loose with the expense account and wants something higher end with an exceptional wine list... we've been to Oceanaire and Manny's... something less chain like would be nice too

Thanks,

Agreed - should be split - if I want to go to DC I could search the DC board... Baltimore and DC could not be more different cities despite their geographic proximity.

and 1542 is already out of business... townhouse I would watch a game at but that's it (bad cocktails, okay food), I had a great meal at Pabu too

I've done the 24 course menu.... just go... sure their requirements are restrictive... and of the 24 courses some aren't perfect... but there are 24 of them and overall they are cutting edge and well executed. Not in the top 5 meals of my life, but easily the most fun and memorable experience I have ever had at a restaurant. I get the impression that people to a degree just want to hate on this place because its not what they are used to or what the expect. Just let go and enjoy the ride.

Badass cocktails and wine pairings too

Anyone done the tasting in restaurant eve lately? Can't seem to find much in the way of recent reviews. Still up to par? Appreciate insights - thanks all

THANK YOU FOR THIS REC

I went last night and was blown away. This bar is incredible. Some of the best hand-crafted cocktails I have ever had... the lengths they go to to make their own bitters and make crystal clear ice borders on absurd

Its also not nearly as expensive as I would have thought it would be

Do not miss if you are in town

So a search of Poznan in the board yields a grand total of two results... both for restaurants in the US. Well I guess three now...

I'm in Poznan Poland for a week. Two years ago when I was here I had no luck...

Anyone out there have the diggs on Poznan? Or maybe know a food site that covers Poland more?

Thanks in advance

1. Ordered cava off the menu, had it but not cold, no ice so they couldn't chill

2. Ordered risling, same story

3. Ordered water, never came

4. Ordered food, most came out right and was passable, burgers (ahi, lamb, and beef) all seperetly came out overcooked, dry, and underseasoned

5. 2 of 6 orders were not correct

6. 25 min to get check, had to track down manager

They wernt that busy. Service was friendly

Hello,

I'm coming up tomorrow for the 618 festival - looking for a good breakfast or lunch around noon on a Saturday in the city before we head in to the festival, and then very late night eats (3 am ish?) after the festival ends.

Usually I'm the first person to say "did you search the board" but I just can't find anything that quite fits the bill. Help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Hello,

Planning an anniversary dinner for next week. How has Blue Duck been as of late? Are there other spots in DC that are in the same vein and better these days?

Do they allow corkage too? I'm from out of town so not sure on the local rules.

Thanks everyone,

There really isn't any good food around the harbor. If you can live without the harbor view you'll be able to find a much better dinner... sorry to say but its true...

Any ideas for a place I can take co-workers for a good meal and drinks in Fort Lauderdale? We did Yolo last night and that fit the bill. Anything similiar?

very hit or miss... sometimes good, sometimes not... always an interesting wine list

the late(er) night cheap shots at the bar brings a very wierd scene...

-----
Corks
1026 S Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21230

Its not a bad day - if you finish up early go to hill family down the street from Ad-Hoc for a walk-in tasting. Their wine is great and you can just walk to dinner...

Boston native, been away for four years, in town for a week on an expense account. Where must I go in downtown area (staying in nine zero) that has opened since I was last here?

Thanks

Hello All,

Here in Vail until Sunday night, and I've sorta blown it a couple times this week with my wife. I've been skiing a lot and need to make amends before we head home. She does not ski and is therefore more than a little bored here.

So that said, we've been to Sweet Basil a few times over the last couple years and I feel like its been slipping a little so we want to try something new

Looking at Larkspur, and would love some thoughts on that, but would really appreciate suggestions on where the best couture food is in town for a couple night out,

Something along the lines of Fruition in Denver, Redd in Napa, Corduroy in DC, for context

Thanks!

So I haven't been back home to Northampton in a couple years, and since then, I've gotten married. I'm looking to introduce my new wife to my extended family (none of them have met her) over dinner the Sunday night before Thanksgiving and I'm trying to figure out a good place to go.

I just learned the Del Raye just closed and I'm pretty bummed to say the least. Searching this board it sounds like there isn't much in the way of alternatives.

In short, I'm looking for some place that can handle a group of 8-10, has good service, and a varied menu, since no doubt some of my relatives are a little skittish around good food, but isn't going to be too dull. A good wine list is a must - its going to be a challenging evening to say the least.

No one has young children so that won't be a concern.

Help!

Corks on Charles st. in Baltimore is open again.

They've completely remodeled the interior. Its a nice space (except for the extremely ugly carpet), with a good wine list, and a number of small plates, sandwiches, cheeses, and oddly enough - fondues to choose from.

Our meal was okay, service was okay, ambiance was great. It sorta felt like they are still working out the kinks in the kitchen and with some of the new wait staff.

We would certainly go back for a glass of wine at the bar and to sample some cheeses. Hopefully all is running smoothly in a couple weeks.

I'm looking for the liquor store with the largest selection of 1/4 and 1/6 microbrew barrels in the Baltimore area - any suggestions?

There are a couple places in Boston that have Anderson Valley

Sunset always has Anderson Valley... Red Bones often has it as well... the Brukowski (sp?) in Cambridge sometimes carries it

In fact... they usually save a barrel of the winter solstice for their Christmas in July party

So as we speak I'm at the bar at Pazo (go chowhound mobile) eating some devine Jamon Iberico - and somehow I can't believe this is real. To anyone that has had the "real thing" in Spain you'll agree its something not to miss - kinda like your first experience with waygu beef. That said - I thought you couldn't get it in this county. The bartender tells me there is some "hook-up" - of which I'm a skeptic. So does anyone have the inside track? Is this for real? And how do they pull it off? Diplomatic pouch?

not in NoVA, but there is a pretty damn good bagel place on light street in Federal Hill in Baltimore, I think its called Sam's

also just moving into the area, by way of a two year stint in Denver, origionally from Boston - I can't believe how long its been since I've head Kupel's or Rosenfelds... wow you just brought me back

Thanks for all the suggestions, we had a great meal at the Bicycle and checked out the Lexington & Cross st. markets.

Was also wondering if there was a good wine store and a packie with a lot of micro-brews on hand?

Mark's place is in puhi industrial park in Lihue in what looks like a warehouse. They catered my wedding and did a sureal job a couple weeks back, but their lunches are awsome.

Kountry Kitchen is on the main drag in Kapaa on the left side if your heading north.

In Hanalei go to the polynesian cafe - great plate lunch / local food - plus you get to eat outside and BYOB which you can buy at a safeway next door

I'm putting in an offer on a house in federal hill today; relocating to Baltimore from Boston. I'm looking for some help getting together a list of the places we have to try. My wife and I eat just about anything.

In short, I'm looking for all the places you would eat in Baltimore (primarilly fed hill) one last time before you left if you were moving away.

So far I've heard of the following (but not tried):
- The Bicycle
- Pazo
- The Wine Market
- Jack's Bistro
- Birches
- Matsuri

Any help would be much appreciated. I could really use suggestions on great seafood, italian, cheap eats, high-end dinners for a couple, good lunch spots (near the inner harbor) and places to take clients.

In addition I'm also looking for a:
- large organic grocier
- farmer's market
- fish market
- great independent butcher
- micro-coffee roaster

Thanks!